Osteonecrosis of femoral head in SLE patient after short period of corticosteroid therapy--a case report.

Numerous cases of osteonecrosis associated with steroid therapy have been reported and most of these had received large doses for prolonged periods. Avascular necrosis of bone occurring after short term steroid treatment is, however, rare. Many underlying causes have been suggested as being associated with this condition. Gregg et al believe that cases may have avascular necrosis of bone with coincidental steroid treatment for conditions themselves associated with avascular necrosis of bone, for example, Systemic Lupus Erythematosust. We report acase of SLE who was given short term steroid therapy and developed osteonecrosis of femoral head.